Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6851, Gilbert Forgason, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Forgason, Gilbert
S. 6851.
Carded.
CONTENTS

14409 New York
Gilbert Torgason
of Herkimer in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the Com y commanded by Captain Southwick of the N.Y. commanded by Col Paulding in the N.Y. time for 14 Months 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 47. Dollars 54 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24. day of May, 1833. and sent to H. Norton Fairfield Herkimer Co N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 95.08 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 1/24/1833 . . 23.77
$118.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 19.
See letter 13 June 1834 to Mr Fleming

In the matter of the application of Gilliam Ferguson for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
44
Declaration & proofs
23292
not reached
Make returns to H. Walton Paup Herk Co NY

State of New York Herkimer County ss: On this twelfth day of October February in the Year 1838 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Herkimer the same being a Court of record having by Law a seal and Clerk now sitting at the Term of October February of said Court in the Year aforesaid Gilbert Forgasow a resident of the Town of West Brunswick in the said County and State aged Seventy years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832; That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated;— In the year 1778 he resided in the Town of Beckman in the County of Dutchess in said State and in the month of July he believes but he does not remember the day of the month in the Year 1778 he enlisted as a volunteer at Beckman aforesaid into the Company commanded by capt. John  Under Wilkins Col: Birdsall's Regiment in the State service for one month and he was marched under the Command of capt. Willets Fishkill near the North River and after remaining at Fishkill a short time he was marched from thence to West- Point and stationed there and he was employed in repairing the breastworks of the Fort and in building redoubts on the hill a little back of the fort for the defence of the Fort and that he served under the Command of capt. Vale and was employed as above stated one month and was then discharged in August 1778 He has no certificate of discharge and does not recollect that he received one— He served under the following named officers viz: capt. Keille  Lab , Lieut. Walcott, Col Birdsall— He does not remember the names of the Major of the Regiment or the other officers—

In the month of April but he does not remember the day of the month in the Year 1779 he enlisted as a volunteer at Peekskill aforesaid where he there received into Capt. Saul Kendal's Company in Col. Paulding's Regiment in the State Service for nine months and he underwent a wound at Fishkill and he was marched from thence under the Command of Capt. Saul Kendal to Esopus on the north river and from thence to the frontiers at a place called Warsick and he was stationed at Warsick on guard for the protection of the inhabitants until sometime after harvest and he thinks the latter part of July and helped the inhabitants gather in their wheat and from thence he was marched to Marlinton as it was then called on the route to the Susquehanna river and from thence to a place which had been burnt by the Enemy called Sheendakin and from thence to a place called Perpaeton on a small creek and from thence to a place called the forks of Schuylkill and from thence he continued his march to the Susquehanna river at a place he does not remember and he was marched on this expedition in Col. Paulding's Regiment to the Susquehanna river to join the Army under the Command of Gen. Sullivan but on the arrival of Col. Paulding's Regiment at the river it was said that Gen. Sullivan had passed down the river about four days before and after remaining near the river a day or two he was marched back with Col. Paulding's Regiment to Perpaeton and from thence to a small Fort called Sackawack and staid there a few days and from thence he was marched with the Regiment to Warsick and was stationed with Col. Paulding's Regiment at Warsick two or three weeks on guard and from thence he was marched to the North river and crossed near

Stew Windsor as he thinks and passed down to Fishkill and after laying there several days he was then marched to Stony Point and was stationed there until he was discharged about January 1780 and that he served nine months and he thinks he received a certificate of Discharge from but the same has been lost or destroyed. He served during the said nine months service under the following named officers viz: Capt. Falkender Lieut Col: Pauding Adjutant Ellsworth Maj: Ben- scott - He knew Capt Wood & Capt Hunt in the same Regiment -
In the month of July about the time cherries began to grow ripe in the year 1780 he enlisted at Beckman aforesaid as a volunteer on an alarm into Capt. West's Company in Col: Birdsalls Regiment in the State Service and was marched to Fishkill & from there to a place on the north river opposite West Point and was stationed at said place on the north river for eight days on guard & was then discharged but he received no discharge in writing. The officers under whom he served said eight days were Capt: West Lieut Maj: Clark and he thinks Col: Birdsall but is not certain -
In the month of July but he does not remember the day in the year 1781 he enlisted as a volunteer at Beckman aforesaid where he then resided and under- -bowed at Fishkill in Capt: Thompson's Company in Col: Widenvelts Regiment in the State Service for four months and he was marched in Capt: Thompson's Company to

Orangetown near the north river and was stationed at Orangetown aforesaid under capt: Thompson to guard the Lines and he was frequently sent out in scouting parties and he served at Orangetown aforesaid until the time for which he enlisted had expired and he was discharged sometime as he believes in the forepart of November 1781 and he served four months as above stated under capt: Thompson - He received no discharge in writing - The officers under whom he served were capt: Thompson Lieut: Myers col: Wisnewelt was the officer under whom he was mustered but he did not command in person at Orangetown there being only capt: Thompson's Company posted there at this time -
1. He the said Gilbert Forgason of the States that he was born at Bethlehem in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York either on the twenty fourth or the twenty eighth day of February 1762 and that he has no record of his age - There was a record of his age made by his father and the same was kept by his brother Francis Forgason who resides in the western part of the State of New York but he does not know the place -
2 When he was called into the service he was living at Beckman in Dutchess County in the State of New York -
3. He does not remember that there were any regular officers with the troops where he served

And he the said Gilbert Forgason further states that he is known to the following named persons who reside in his present neighborhood viz: David Thorp John D. Hemstreet Abraham Forgason and Ephraim Ash a Pluggman and that they can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. And he the said Gilbert Forgason further states that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure to prove his Revolutionary services except that Abraham Forgason a brother to him knows he the said Gilbert Forgason was gone into the service in the Revolution and that his affidavit of the same is herunto annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed this 12 th day of October  February Gilbert F. FORGASON 1833 in open Court.
We Abraham Forgason residing in the Town of West Brunswick in the County of Hutchinson and State of New York and Ephraim Ash a Pluggman residing in the Town of  Town of Crotonville in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gilbert Forgason who has subscribed to the above and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed to have been in the neighborhood where he

Resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion — Given & our seals this twelfth day of October  February 1833 in open Court Julius T. Nelson Clerk      Abraham L. Ferguson mark Ephraim Ash
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states — And the Court aforesaid further certify that it appears to them that David Thorp who has signed the Certificate herunto annexed is a resident of the Town of West Brunswick in the County of Herkimer and State of New York and that John D. Hemstreet who has also signed the same is a resident of the said Town of West Brunswick in said County and are highly respectable and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit and belief and the said Court further certify that they are of opinion that they cannot be produced in Court without too much in- -convenience and expense to said applicant And the said Court further certify that it also appears to them that Gilbert Ferguson who has signed the preceding Certificate is a resident of the Town of West Brunswick in the said County of Herkimer and Ephraim Ash is a clergyman who has also signed the same is a resident

in the said Town of West Brunswick in said County and also Credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full Credit and belief—
Clerk's office County of Herkimer ss: I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Pleas of the said County of Herkimer in the State of New York the same being a Court of record having my Seal a clerk and seal do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Gillen Thompson for a plura— In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the office of Clerk of said court this day of October 1832 — This twelfth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Julius C. Nelson Clerk

23292
Gilbert Forgasar
Herkimer county
New York
H. Norton
Fairfield
Herkimer county
N. York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Gilbert Forgason, Herkimer county N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1778 1 Private Capt. Miller Col. Birsall Fishkill 70 Dutchess Co. N.Y. Tradition   Volunteered 1779 9 Capt. Faulkner Col. Ruddy West Point   Enlisted 1780 8 Capt. West Col. Birsall Wassarick our witness from most of the service two others serve traditionally   1781 4 Capt. Thompson Major Clark Fishkill  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatiners, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. B. Bradfield

mmHJ
June 25, 1935
aw
Mrs. M. M. Hatch South Columbia, N. Y.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 6851 it appears that Gilbert Forgason was born February 24 or 28, 1762 in Bethlehem, Dutchess County, New York.
While a resident of Beekman, Dutchess County, New York he enlisted in July 1778 and served one month as a private in Captain Israel Vail's Company, Colonel Birdsall's New York Regiment.
He enlisted in April 1779 and served nine months as a private in Captain Faulkner's Company, Colonel Pawling's New York Regiment.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served eight days in Captain West's Company, Colonel Birdsall's New York Regiment.
He enlisted in July 1781 and served four months as a private in Captain Thompson's Company, Colonel Weissen-

fels' New York Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 12, 1833 while a resident of West Brunswick, Herkimer County, New York.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,
Date of death per m AR
WILDER S. METCALE. Commissioner.
had bro. Francis & Abraham -

We John D. Hunsdree, & David Sharp residing in the town of the Brunswick County of Arkansas & State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gilbert Ferguson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be forty years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion We further certify that there is no clergyman residing in said town
Sworn and subscribed this 24th day of 6 th Day of October 1832 { John D. Hunsdree before me Geo Alphonso } David Sharp Geo Alphonso Justice of the Peace

MS.A.1.6
June 5, 1926
Mrs. M. M. Hatch South Columbia, Box 66 New York
Madam:
Jacob Dubois, or to Caleb Sheldon and Edward Henderson as described by you. Owing to the lack of a clerical force available for such a purpose, only two histories are furnished each inquirer. You are herewith furnished the histories of Robert English and Gilbert Forgasan; no soldier named Gilbert Fergeson or Ferguson found on said records.
WILDER S. METCALF.

To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Sir,
The inclosed letter speaks for itself. I do not understand why names given on the muster rolls of "New York" in the Revolution and with the facts recorded in their headstones 85 years ago, are so hard to verify now, and he was in the 6th Regiment from Dutchess County according to my Revolutionary books. Have you any information on the subject, if so kindly address
Mrs. M. M. Hale.
South Columbia,
N.Y.
Mar 16.
Also the name of Edward Henderson appears on a Vermont record dated Oct 24 1775 to appear at the Bennington Meeting house parade grounds November 1st next at 1 o'clock in the afternoon with arms complete for exercising. Can you aid me in proving his service
Jan 21 1880 P. M. [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
not as des

Robert Ferguson (or quason). No headstone and no data whatever. He has always been called a Revolutionary Soldier, and a flag and flowers placed upon his grave each year. I find him enrolled in Col Pauling's Levies.
Caleb Sheldon died Dec 24 1832. novas des aged 91 years and 7 months. I find him enrolled in the 3 d Dutchess County Militia. Land bounty right.
Robert English Died Feb 3 1846 in his 94 th year. I find him enrolled in the Artillery 2 nd Regt. Col John Lamb.
Jacob Dubois born in New Jersey in 1763 died in Germaway November Jan 2 1844 at 81. Mary, his wife, died November 1 st 1860 at 86. Served in 2 nd Regt - Dutchess Co Militia Col Abraham Drinkwater and in the 6 th Dutchess Co Regt - under Col Morris Graham.

Inscription
Soldier of the American Revolution.
In memory of
John Van Dusen who died Dec 8 1840 in the 84th year of his age
Is he the John who served in the 6th Dutchess County Militia.
Return to Mrs. M. M. Hatch
South Columbia N.Y.
Mar 3
Received A. G. O. MAR

1925-June 5-Hick. co. Mo. M.M. atch 11111111
Reuben
6851
INVALID.
File No. 6851
Gilbert Ferguson
Pris. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1  ef , Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York County of Dutchess Co: Abraham Forgason of the Town of West P'keepsie in the said County of the age of seventy four years and upwards being first duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Gilbert Forgason the brother of this deponent and that they both resided in the Town of P'keepsie in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York in the Year 1778 and this deponent further saith that in the summer of 1778 he the said Gilbert Forgason enlisted into Capt: Israel Trail's Company as this deponent at the time understood and this deponent understood that he went to West Point and this deponent further saith that he recollects that the said Gilbert Forgason enlisted as a volunteer for nine months in the spring of 1779 and that he left home and underwent as he understood at Fishkill and he this deponent was informed at the time & believes true that he the said Gilbert Forgason went on to the frontiers at the west and that he had gone on to the Susquehannah river to join Gen: Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians in the western part of the State of New York and this deponent recollects that he was gone from home until the winter following and he believes he got home sometime near Holyday and that he was absent about nine months and this deponent has always understood him that he went to Susquehannah as above stated and this deponent further saith that he recollects that said Gilbert Forgason enlisted as a volunteer into Capt: Thompson's Company in Col: Wisnault's Regiment and that he went to Crampton's and this deponent further

Saith that he saw said Gilbert Forgason at Fishkill and Poughkeepsie which he was in said four months service and that he was then in the service under Capt Thompson and in this deponent recollects that said Gilbert Forgason was gone four months and he got home some in the fall of the Year 1781 and this deponent further saith that he has often heard the said Gilbert Forgason in the time after the war of the Revolution and even relate his services and that the same correspond with his statute statement which he has made in his declaration hereto annexed by him subscribed and sworn to the same having been read & this deponent and this deponent further saith that the said Gilbert Forgason is reputed & believed among all his acquaintances to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that this deponent never heard it disputed - sworn to and subscribed
this  day of October  his 1832 in all Court Abraham X Forgason this twelfth day of mark February 1833 in open Court
Julius C Nelson Clerk